5 Days Kenya Birding & Wildlife safari
5 Days Kenya Birding & Wildlife safari involves visiting Kenyan’s lakes best known for birding and wildlife experience including Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha and Masai Mara national reserve for wildlife safari. Masai Mara national reserve is the most famous and popular safari destination in Kenya and anywhere in Africa. Masai Mara national reserve is located in the southwestern of Kenya bordering Serengeti national park in Tanzania which is the best wildlife national park in Africa. Masai Mara national reserve is comprised of a medley rolling hills, open grassland and acacia woodland supporting quite an incredible profusion and variety of wildlife. The reserve truly blossoms between August and October, when the legendary wildebeest migration, the world’s most breath taking wildlife crossing into Kenya from Tanzania. Lake Nakuru national park is located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley surrounded by wooded and bushy grassland with a wide ecological diversity of and varied habitat that range from surrounding escarpment and picturesque ridges. Nakuru national park is ideal for birdwatching and picnic game drives. Lake Naivasha is one of the freshwater lakes with a depth of about five meters and 13 kilometres wide fringed by thick papyrus shallow waters. Lake Naivasha is known as one of the world’s best birding destination. The lake waters also draw great ranges of wildlife to the shores such as the Giraffes that wander among the acacia, the Buffaloes in swamps and the Colobus monkeys whilst the large animals like the hippos sleep out in the shallows.
Safari highlights of the
- Day 1: Transfer to Lake Nakuru national park
- Day 2: Transfer to Lake Naivasha
- Day 3: Transfer to Masai Mara – Masai Community tour
- Day 4: Masai Mara full day game viewing and birdwatching
- Day 5: Another game drive and transfer back to Nairobi
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Lake Nakuru national park
Depending on your location in Nairobi city, connect to Lake Nakuru national park with your packaged lunch. Upon arrival in the park, connect for an afternoon game drive followed by a walk along the shores which will also allow us to see the many wild animals in the park and especially the park is the Sanctuary to the Black Rhino, White Rhino and the Rothschild Giraffe. Here you will have the chance to look out at some of the common species like the Lesser and Greater Flamingos, African fish Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Green Wood Hoopoes, Cliff Chat, Great White and Pink Backed Pelicans plus other intra- African Migrants. Dinner and Overnight stay today will be at Ziwa Bush Lodge/Lake Nakuru Lodge/Flamingo Hill Tented Camp
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Naivasha
Wake up early, enjoy breakfast and connect for an early birdwatching experience with sights of some of the animals as you connect to Lake Naivasha with views of the Great Rift Valley for stunning views arriving Lake Naivasha by mid-morning for bird walk before time for lunch at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge. Lake Naivasha being close to Lake Nakuru, is freshwater Lake declared a bird sanctuary in 1967 and also supports pastoral industries of wine and flowers. During your drive to Lake Naivasha, you will study the birds of the region such as herons, fish eagles, ospreys, black crakes, and lily-trotters. Dominated by the shadow of Mt. Longonot, few lakes in the world have a more commanding or spectacular setting than Naivasha. You will also have an excursion to the Elsa mere Centre. Lake Naivasha being on the Rift floor is home to an incredible variety of species. Over 450 species have been recorded here. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Masai Mara – evening game drive
After breakfast, drive across the floor of the Great Rift Valley to Masai Mara Game Reserve the unspoiled Savannah. Masai Mara is actually the northern portion of the Great Plains ecosystem in the neighbouring Tanzania bordering Serengeti national park. It is a home to the big five game such as the lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard and elephant as well cheetah, zebra, giraffe and vast herds of plain antelope and numerous and other wildlife. Upon arrival, have lunch then connect for an afternoon game drive in search of the big five. As sun starts to edge dip into the horizon, it will be perfect time to photograph the beautiful Mara rolling plains. Don’t forget this is the right time to spot the shy leopard. Dinner and overnight stay at AA Mara Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge/Sentrim Mara Lodge
Day 4: Masai Mara full day game viewing and birdwatching
A full day in the Mara, the extensive grasslands are a strong hold to the threatened, migratory Corncrake and the near threatened Jackson’s widowbird. The bush and woodlands around the reserve also hold some unique bird species, more than 450 bird species have been recorded in the Mara, including 12 species of cisticola and birds of prey. Large numbers of Palearctic migrants winter in the area including Caspian plovers and white storks. Other local and unusual birds in the Mara include Rock Cisticola, Rufous Bellied Heron, Denham’s Bustard, Black Coucal, Red Tailed chat, Pale Wren Warbler, Tabora Cisticola, Yellow Bellied Hyliota, Green-capped Eremomela and Magpie Shrike. All meals, dinner and Overnight stay will be at lodge as above
Day 5: Another game drive and transfer back to Nairobi
After breakfast, enjoy another morning Masai Mara search of its popular residents. After the game drive with packed lunch, embark on your journey back to Nairobi. It’s a 5-6 hours’ drive with your packed lunch en-route. The guide will either drop you off at the location you advise on at the airport for your flight back home.
End of the 5 Days Kenya Birding & Wildlife safari
